Bunbury crowds delight at Beauty and the Beast

The South West Opera Company’s latest stage production of the same film would have left every guest humming along to the title song Beauty and the Beast for days.

A talented cast of 45 accompanied by a 10-piece orchestra treated the audience to a fascinating journey showing how love can conquer evil. 

All of the film’s best songs were performed, directed by the talented Michelle Bracken-Perks, including Be Our Guest, Beauty and the Beast and Belle, as well as some new songs which added to the originality of the show.

Director Glen Perks created a magical show on the stage, bringing one of Disney’s most loved movie’s to life with stunning sets and just the right amount of humour.

Michaela Mitchell portrayed the beauty, Belle, who sacrifices her own freedom after her father is jailed by the angry Beast of an enchanted castle.

Mitchell played Belle in all her innocent glory, her moving performance was beautiful and her singing created tingles.

Keaton Staszewski played the tortured Beast, transforming from selfish Beast to Prince by the end of the show.

He overcomes his anger to find true love and break the curse imposed years ago by an enchantress.

The star of the show was Darcey Fisher who plays Gaston. 

Although his singing was not the show’s best, Fisher’s stage-presence was dominating and he played the arrogant and self-absorbed man down to perfection.

Sixteen-year-old Hamish Halket, who played Gaston’s right hand man Lefou, sang brilliantly, he has a promising future ahead of him.

Yarno Pyne as Lumiere must have struggled to hold his arms up as candlesticks for the entire show, but that did not stop him from humouring the crowd.

Bunbury doctor Peter Heyworth, who played the enchanted clock Cogsworth, did not fail to entertain and proved his skills extend past the doctor’s surgery.

Mary-Ellen Sutherland’s choreography, particularly of the energetic ensembles, was upbeat and masterfully done and brought the stage to life.